Glen Garioch

Translation: Valley of the Garioch

Region: (Eastern) Highlands

Pretty advanced for old age.

The Glen Garioch Distillery was founded in 1798. This makes it one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. And she's been the easternmost one for several years now - after Glenugie and Glenury-Royal were shut down. As old as Glen Garioch is, however, and as little as the modern small town of Oldmeldrum looks: it shows itself quite advanced. Since 1982, the distillery uses natural gas from the North Sea to heat the stills. This saves around twenty percent of energy costs. And the waste heat produced during the distillation is used effectively: it is used to heat greenhouses in which tomatoes are grown.
By the way: Anyone looking for the distillery in the small town of Oldmeldrum should know that the name does not speak "Glenngärrioch". But "Glenngierie".

A little history

Glen Garioch was probably founded in 1797. However, a distillery named Glen Garioch was already mentioned in 1785 in the newspaper "The Aberdeen Journal". The distillery is centrally located in the middle of the village Oldmeldrum. In Glen Garioch's more than 200-year history, there have been numerous ownership changes and temporary closures, of which only a few are to be mentioned. In 1937, the distillery went to the Distillers Company Limited (DCL). In 1968, Glen Garioch was closed, especially because there were always problems with the procurement of water. In 1970, Stanley P. Morrison Ltd bought the distillery and in 1973, after extensive renovation, resumed production. The problem of water supply was solved by creating a deep well in an adjacent field.
In 1978, the number of stills was increased from two to four. In 1994, Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd (which originated from Stanley P. Morrison Ltd) was acquired by the Japanese Suntory Group. Only one year later the distillery was closed. Only in August 1997, the production started again at Glen Garioch and runs since then without interruption. Glen Garioch owns one of the few distilleries own malt floors, which are no longer used.

What do I actually have in the glass?

Glen Garioch has a fairly strong body under the fruity notes and most bottlings are unusually smoky for a Highland Malt. That's because the malt is poked here with peat from the nearby New Pitsligo Moor.

3 reasons to love Glen Garioch

1) Because peat is doing well in the Highlands too.

2) Because you can make the right pronunciation with the correct pronunciation of the name.

3) Because Glen Garioch bravely holds up the flag of the Eastern Highlands.

The one drama for the lonely island

The 12-year-old original bottling shows what Glen Garioch is all about: heather, spiciness, oak, fruity sweetness and a
Although delicate, but clear peat note. A malt in which there is really something to discover.

numbers and facts

Address: Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 0ES

Founded: 1797 by Thomas Simpson

Status: active

Owner: Morrison Bowmore (Suntory)

Capacity: about 1,000,000 liters

2 wash stills (currently only one in operation, 20,000 l)

1 spirit still (11,000 l)

Water: From a private deep well

Visitor Center: yes

Telephone: +44 (0) 1651 - 873450

Website: www.glengarioch.com